RESOURCES

The Collaborative, through its working groups, has developed a number of resources for the benefit of its members, Christian Science nursing organizations, and the movement at large.

Collaborative Coordinating Committee (C3)

Convening Conference 2024 — archive page of resources — handouts, talks, and outcome documents

In addition to the five overarching priorities, the Collaborative has developed a list of issues to focus on. Here is the list with brief, simplified descriptions of the issues:

Issue, Leading group, description

Communication, C3, Improve clarity of communication flow within the Collaborative

Consistency in Delivery of Training Programs, AOCSN Education Committee, Need for more communicating, networking, and collaboration among training programs. More efficient ways to deliver training – centralized and mobile approaches. Need for more qualified instructors. Need education for Christian Scientists who don’t know what to expect.

CS Nursing and Metaphysical Healing, TMC, There is a need in the field to better understand the different metaphysical roles of CS nurses and CS practitioners, and CS healing.

Education for Christian Science Church Members, TMC, Help to ensure more Christian Scientists (especially practitioners and teachers) are aware of the existence and nature of CS nursing.

Ethical Considerations for All, AOCSN Education Committee, Living the life of a Christian Scientist, recruiting and retention, transparency of transactions, confidentiality, no interference between patient and practitioner, and proper representation.

Executive Boards, AOCSN EDs/Administrators, Best ways to engage boards as a resource

Grant Applications, National Fund for Christian Science Nursing, Some forms require completion prior to engagement. In most cases, it is improper to mix benevolence. Fees must be accurately stated.

Info to Share, Caring for Christian Scientists, What should be included in information to Christian Scientists about CS nursing? How much should it be expected to cost? How do you find a CS nurse? How do you know when you would need a CS nurse? Can you get insurance for it? Why does it take so long to become a CS nurse?

Managing Common Resources and Processes, AOCSN EDs/Administrators, What efforts can be shared among organizations?

Mental Challenges, Caring for Christian Scientists, Communicate to people seeking resources for caring for a Christian Scientist family member with mental challenges (e.g. memory challenges, emotional, addictions, developmental, etc.).

Mentoring Needs, AOCSN Education Committee, Need more qualified mentors. More systematic mentoring process and program. Mentoring in all settings. How to mentor self-employed CS nurses.

Mixing, AOCSN Education Committee, Patients and families need clarity regarding mixing CS and medical.

Promote CSN as a calling and career, TMC, Address the imposition that Christian Science nursing is not a good career. CS nursing is not comparable to the medical model for nursing making it hard to characterize the various aspects of care (companion care, personal care, non-medical care, long-term care, etc. are all medical terms).

Quality of Thought, AOCSN DCSNs, Demonstrating the “demonstrable knowledge of Christian Science practice” and putting it into practice

Scope of Services (Ethics), TMC, This can be found on ChristianScience.com and is a foundation for proper conduct among CS nurses and patients. However, the standards may not be as clear to all as they should be. Another issue is the tendency to think that ethics are different today than they were in the past.

Self-Employed CS Nurses, Christian Science Nursing Network, Help to better manage the needs of self-employed (not affiliated with a CS nursing facility) – training, mentoring, financial support, etc.

Student Support, Training Affordability and Accessibility Working Group (TrAAWG), Need for housing. Financial support. Childcare support or Coverage on the floor.

Support of CS Nurses In Facilities, AOCSN DCSNs and TMC

Support of CS Nurses In the Field, TMC, Inconsistencies with CS nurses in the field. Need better care and “self-care.” Bring struggling CS nurses back into the fold.

The Title Christian Science Nurse, TMC, Ensuring understanding of the term and what it represents, and what representing oneself with it means

TMC’s role, TMC, TMC already has a standards and compliance role. What other roles does it fit into?